Study Permit for Canada

Canada has long been a top destination for academic study, and is expected to issue permits to 360,000 foreign students in 2024. Once you have secured a place to study at a Canadian school or university, before you pack your things and travel to Canada you will need to ensure that you have obtained the study permit necessary to get your studies started.

Who can apply for a Canadian Study Permit?

In order to be eligible to apply for a study permit for Canada, you must:

• have already been enrolled in a Designated Learning Institution (DLI)
  • you can check if your school, college or university is a registered DLI here
  • note that all Canadian primary and secondary schools are automatically recognised as DLIs and thus will not appear on this list
• be able to demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to cover your tuition fees, living expenses and return travel
  • NB: if you are intending to bring family members to Canada with you, you will have to show that you can cover living and travel expenses for them as well
• have no criminal record and be prepared to demonstrate this with a police certificate, if requested
• be in good health and be prepared to demonstrate this with a medical exam, if requested
• be prepared to demonstrate to an immigration officer that you genuinely intend to leave Canada once your study permit has expired

You may also need to provide a provincial or territorial attestation letter when submitting your application.

You can study in Canada without a study permit if:

• you are only intending to study for less then six months
• you are a family member or staff of an accredited foreign representative in Canada
• you have Registered Indian status in Canada
• you are a member of a foreign armed forces representing a country designated by the Visiting Forces Act (VFA)
• you are a minor child who:
  • is a refugee or refugee claimant
  • is the child of a refugee or refugee claimant
  • is the child of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
  • is attending school in Canada while their parent is legally working or studying in Canada
  • is attending school in Canada while unaccompanied
• you are a temporary resident or asylum seeker taking a French language and culture course in Quebec
• you are a temporary resident taking a government settlement and integration course
• you were issued a work permit prior to 7 June 2023

What does a Canadian Study Permit offer?

A study permit gives an individual permission to study on a specific course at a recognised ‘Designated Learning Institution’ (DLI) in Canada. To change institutions, you must have met all the conditions of your permit and get permission from the Canadian authorities before moving to a new school, college or university.

Note that, in order to continue benefitting from a study permit once you have entered Canada, you must keep up your studies and progress through your program at a reasonable rate. You must also ensure you meet any conditions attached to your study permit and cease studying if at any point you no longer meet the requirements of your course or permit.

The conditions on a study permit will determine:

• whether you are allowed to work, and if you are permitted to do so on-campus, off-campus or either
• what level of study is permitted
• whether you need to report for medical procedures
• if you are permitted to travel within Canada
• when you must finish studying

You will usually be expected to actively pursue your studies, leave Canada when your permit expires, and to end your studies if you cease to meet the requirements of the permit.